Protocol not being put into practice by Poots: Givan

First Minister Paul Givan has insisted the Stormont agriculture minister is not implementing the Brexit protocol.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

The DUP representative was also questioned over his party’s boycott of North-South Ministerial Council meetings during Executive Office questions in the Stormont Assembly yesterday.

The exchanges came as “intensified talks” were ongoing between the EU and UK to try and find a solution to the protocol issues.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Unionists contend the post-Brexit trade arrangements damage the Union by placing a border in the Irish Sea.

Vehicles arrive at Larne Port in Northern Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 14, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Brexit Larne. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA WireVehicles arrive at Larne Port in Northern Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 14, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Brexit Larne. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Vehicles arrive at Larne Port in Northern Ireland. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday November 14, 2018. See PA story POLITICS Brexit Larne. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The hijacking and burnings of buses in Newtownards and Newtownabbey in recent weeks has been linked to loyalist anger at the protocol.

Mr Givan said the protocol has “upset the delicate balance that the Belfast Agreement created”.

He urged the UK’s chief Brexit negotiator Lord Frost and the EU to “intensify the process this week as we need to see a resolution to the issues”.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

TUV MLA Jim Allister challenged Mr Givan in the Assembly on his party “continuing to implement this Union-dismantling protocol”.

A case is with the High Court over a halt to work to construct new customs posts at NI portsA case is with the High Court over a halt to work to construct new customs posts at NI ports
A case is with the High Court over a halt to work to construct new customs posts at NI ports

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) was to construct new customs posts at ports to implement the additional checks required under the protocol.

Former agriculture minister Gordon Lyons ordered a halt to the work earlier this year.

A High Court challenge to the ministerial decision is ongoing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Givan responded to Mr Allister, insisting that the current Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots “is not implementing the protocol”.

“Indeed, if he had of been, we would have been facing a much worse situation,” he told MLAs.

“It’s (as) a result of the DUP minister holding the department that we haven’t had the protocol being implemented .

“It is that minister that introduced the grace periods in respect of pets and is continuing to ensure that the protocol isn’t being implemented.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He added: “It is the Democratic Unionist Party which is pursuing a policy to try and eradicate the borders that have been created down the Irish Sea and he should seek to join with us to encourage his fellow unionists in terms of the strategy that we are taking forward.”

Sinn Fein MLA John O’Dowd challenged Mr Givan on his party’s non-attendance at NSMC meetings, putting to him “on what planet would it be acceptable for a minister to refuse to carry out their lawful duties under the ministerial code other than the DUP planet”.

“When will you act lawfully and send the message out to those people on the streets who are acting unlawfully in the hijacking and burnings of buses and other activities, and ensure that you are living up to your obligations, your legal obligations, under the ministerial code,” he said.

A legal challenge taken by a Belfast businessman to the DUP position on NSMC meetings is currently ongoing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Givan responded to Mr O’Dowd saying in 2008 Sinn Fein boycotted Executive meetings, and “pulled down” the power-sharing government in 2017.

“When it comes to thwarting the activities of the institutions created by the Belfast Agreement, it is Sinn Fein that have been the masters of that,” he said.